Claire's+letter

April 29, 1865

Dear Mom, Dad, Haley, Mac, and Andy, If you had heard about the Steamboat Sultana and how it struck an island and then sank hastily in the water then that is true. Don’t worry because I am safe. The Civil War was a tragedy but I was able to get through it.

The law says that there is supposed to be 376 people on one boat, but because each soldier that came on gave them payment they must have wanted as many people on the ship as possible. A colossal amount of people died because of that. People already have injuries and they survived but on their way home they died because the shipping company didn’t make a smart decision. All they thought about was the payment. I even have an injury from the Civil War which is that my left arm is broken and my right shoulder is hurting me. Luckily I know how to swim with my feet or else I would have drowned.

Right now I am at a hospital in New York City. The doctor is making a cast for me but it’s like my arm is beating and my shoulder has a freezing icepack on it. I don’t know how I’m going to get home. Maybe I could take a train, get a taxi, or you could choose, to come pick me up. Please write back before New Year’s Eve so we can celebrate together.

Claire
May 16, 1865

Dear Claire, I am so happy that you are safe. But the rest of the family is still worried about you. We will try our best to get you home and well. Youre mother insisted that she would not use any ice packs to help you. She wants to use her secret healing soup to help with the aching shoulder and broken arm. When you come back, I bet Hayley, Andy, and Mac will jump for joy to see you.

Before you sent your letter, the family was mad at the steamboat people for being so greedy. We also thought you passed away. The town was outraged too. They swormed in front of the major's house and they protested about the steamboat buisness and how they wanted them to be shut down. This chaos started when a very unpopular news company printed the story and sent it. The few people who got the news, spread the word all around town. Then more people demanded that the headline was to be put on another news company's paper. Then eventually, the news spread around all of the east side of America. But when we got youre letter, we finaly knew that you were safe. Sadly we can't come to New York City to help you due to the chaos in town. But while you are coming back, please take it easy. Your broken arm and hurt shoulder won't heal without care. We will all be happy to see you.

love, Dad, Mom, Andy, Mac, and Hayley